Apple finally lifts the lid on a pair of shockingly pricey over-ear cans

Apple's AirPods Max headphones deliver excellent audio performance, top-notch noise cancellation, and a bevy of useful features in an absolutely gorgeous design for a bit too much money.

Excellent audio performance with rich lows and crisp; detailed highs; High-quality active noise cancellation; especially for low-frequency rumble; Stunning; unique design; Adaptive EQ and Spatial audio; Hands-free Siri access

Expensive; Sound signature and Adaptive EQ/spatial audio aren't for purists; No user-adjustable EQ; Button placement makes it easy to misfire when adjusting fit; Smart Case does little to protect the headphones

Sonically speaking, the AirPods Max don’t put a foot wrong – these are hands-down the best wireless noise-cancellers you can buy

Superb sound and noise-cancelling; Cinematic spatial audio; Exceptional build quality

Near-pointless case; Audio cable not included; Practically Apple-only

The Apple AirPods Max are among the best-sounding headphones we've ever tested, they're easy to use, and their noise cancellation can easily stand up to the likes of the Sony WH-1000XM4 and the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700.

Unbelievable audio performance; Fantastic user experience; Brilliant extra features for iOS; Great noise cancellation

Very expensive; No 3.5mm audio port; Limited features for Android; Ineffective carrying case

The Apple AirPods Max are big, expensive and flashy noise cancelling-headphones that manage to stand out in a crowded market. They sound fantastic with most genres of music, brilliant with movies including some fancy virtual surround tech, plus superb noise cancelling that matches the best in the...

fantastic music quality; super comfortable; brilliant movie sound; spatial audio; excellent seamless switching; instant pairing with Apple gear; excellent controls; solid battery life; premium build.

expensive; heavy; no headphone socket; no headphone cable included; no power button; weird case; no real protection included; only fold flat; bleed sound a little; need at least one Apple device for updates/settings.

After a long lead-up of rumors, Apple managed to squeeze in the AirPods Max just under the wire as its last big hardware release of 2020. It wasn’t surprising to see the company launch its own over-ear, noise-canceling headphones after the meteoric rise and popularity of AirPods, which have come to...

High-luxury design; Terrific; balanced sound quality; Very effective noise cancellation; Dependable and foolproof controls; Spatial audio for immersive entertainment

Heavier than many competitors; No 3.5mm jack; Wired listening requires $35 cable; Case is an abomination; Apple Music can’t make the most of these headphones

The high asking price will make the over-ear AirPods a luxury rather than a mass-market product, which is a shame as the sound quality and active noise-cancelling (ANC) is superb - but much of the competition offers such features for a cut of the cash.

Great sound and active noise-cancelling (ANC); No plastics; Ease of setting up and running; Spatial Audio delivers convincing three-dimensional audio

Not foldable; Weighty due to metal; Carry case could be more robust; Very expensive; No 3.5mm jack; Spatial Audio not for Apple TV

Apple AirPods Max review: Apple's new headphones cost Rs 59,900 in India. It offers a premium design and great audio experience, but is...

Spatial Audio and superb noise cancelling are standouts for Apple’s AirPods Max - a great pair of headphones for Apple users

Good sound quality; Awesome noise cancelling; Spatial Audio is stunning;

Heavy; Fit isn’t 100% secure; Case only partially protects headphones;